[Rokke]

With respect to the lack of witnesses to anything resembling a surface fired missile, an air to air missile would actually be a more plausible explanation. But then you would have to imagine a scenario in which an aircraft was airborne with live ordinance, and fired that ordinance at a large, civilian airliner flying in a very well used air corridor just a few miles off the coast of Long Island. It just wouldn't happen without the incident receiving instant and very public scrutiny.

[Hunble]

live ordinance

Why would the destruction of TWA 800 require "live ordinance" to create a massive failure of the structural integrity of the aircraft?

We all know that the central fuel tank exploded, but we also know that aviation fuel is not explosive unless it has the proper fuel-air mixture. Something atomized the fuel in the aircraft's tank, mixed it with the air, and created the correct mixture.

That is what a carburetor in a car does. Without the proper fuel-air mixture, your engine simply does not go bang.

You have placed logical blinders upon yourself, that may or may not be supported.